As a lacrosse goalie, having customized gear tailored specifically to your playing style and preferences can give you a significant edge over the competition. From custom stringing on your goalie head to a personalized design on your goalie pads, custom lacrosse goalie equipment allows you to optimize and dial in your setup for peak performance in the cage.
Why Customize Your Lacrosse Goalie Stick?
There are several key reasons why customizing your lacrosse goalie stick can take your game to the next level:
- Improved ball control – Custom stringing patterns, shooting strings, and mesh allow you to fine-tune the pocket and whip of your stick for reliable saves and crisp outlet passes.
- Optimized flex & release – Custom sidewall stiffness and throat design give you more control over how the head flexes on saves and how the ball releases on clears.
- Personalized specs – Customizing length, lie, flex profile, and weight distribution results in a goalie stick tailored to your individual size, strength, and preference.
- Enhanced durability – Upgraded materials like carbon fiber shafts and aircraft-grade aluminum heads provide a more rigid, lightweight, and resilient setup.
- Unique style – Custom graphics, colors, and designs allow you to put your personal stamp on your goalie stick.
While off-the-shelf goalie sticks work for many players, investing in custom stringing and components optimized specifically for your game can give you an advantage that leads directly to more saves. As the last line of defense, having a stick you can trust implicitly with your eyes closed is a huge confidence boost in the heat of battle.
Customizing Lacrosse Goalie Head Stringing for Optimal Performance
Dialing in the perfect pocket and whip in your goalie head through custom stringing is one of the most effective ways to improve your save percentage. Here are some key stringing considerations:
- Pocket depth – A deeper pocket improves ball control but slower release, while a shallow pocket enables faster outlet passes but less ball control.
- Shooting strings – The number, pattern, and material (nylon, hockey lace, leather) impact hold and release.
- Sidewall stringing – Interwoven sidewall strings adds hold while a straighter pattern improves release.
- Mesh & wax – Softer mesh or heavy wax improves hold and control, while harder mesh gives more rebound.
- Whip – Adjusting mid/low pocket placement controls the flex point for desired whip on saves.
Testing out multiple stringing configurations is key to finding your optimum setup. An experienced custom stringer can also analyze your technique and make recommendations tailored specifically for your style of play in the crease.
Choosing the Best Materials for Custom Lacrosse Goalie Heads
The materials used in your goalie head construction significantly impact performance. Some key things to consider when selecting a custom goalie head:
- Stiffness – Aircraft-grade aluminum or composite heads provide maximum stiffness, while titanium and molded heads offer more flex.
- Weight – Lighter materials like carbon fiber reduce neck fatigue but can lack stiffness.
- Durability – Rigid alloys like scandium and magnesium provide increased structural integrity over molded plastic.
- Protection – Some goalies prefer a molded head for better impact absorption on hard shots.
- Special shapes – Custom sidewall shapes (V-back, flatter scoop, rounded edges) can improve ball control.
Balancing these factors based on your individual style, strength, and level of play is key. Consultinglacrosse experts and manufacturers that offer full custom goalie heads provides the greatest range of options to build your ideal setup.
Customizing Lacrosse Goalie Stick Pockets and Shooting Strings
Much like customizing your goalie head, dialing in your preferred pocket and shooting strings gives you maximum control over ball security, hold, and release. Some areas to focus on:
- Mesh type – Hard vs. soft mesh changes pocket feel and break-in time.
- Pocket placement – Lower pockets increase hold, higher pockets enable faster release.
- Shooting strings – Materials (nylon, laces, leathers) and configuration impact hold and release.
- Sidewall lacings – More interwoven sidewalls increase hold, while straight lacing improves release.
- Waxing – Heavily waxed pockets increase tackiness and overall ball control.
Testing out multiple pocket configurations and shooting string patterns is critical to finding your ideal setup. An experienced custom stringer can watch you play and make informed recommendations on optimizing your pocket based on your needs as a goalie.
Hopefully this overview has provided some useful insight into customizing your lacrosse goalie stick and equipment for optimal performance. Let me know if you have any other questions!
As a lacrosse goalie, customizing the stringing of your goalie head is one of the best ways to dial in the ideal pocket shape, depth, hold, and release for your playing style. The key is finding the right balance of ball control vs. quick outlet passes. Here are some tips on optimizing your goalie head stringing for peak performance in the crease:
Customizing Lacrosse Goalie Head Stringing for Optimal Performance
Proper stringing is crucial for goalies. The pocket shape and depth, shooting strings, sidewall pattern, and mesh type all impact the critical balance between control and fast release. Here are some key areas to focus on:
Pocket Depth
Deeper pockets improve hold at the cost of slower releases. Shallower pockets enable quicker outlet passes but less control. Finding your ideal depth – usually around mid-to-low pocket – gives you the best of both worlds. Things like widening the throat and dropping the bottom string help create a deeper hold.
Shooting Strings
The number, material, placement, and tie-off point of shooting strings control hold. More shooting strings equals more control. Materials like leather and hockey lace increase grip vs. nylon. Lower tie-offs hold the ball in better. Test different setups to optimize ball security and release speed.
Sidewall Stringing
Interwoven sidewall strings increase hold while straighter vertical sidewalls enable faster release. Mixing interwoven and straight sidewalls lets you balance control and outlet speed. Focus weaving near the scoop for containment while keeping the channel more open down low for passing.
Mesh & Wax
Softer mesh improves grip and control but slows release. Hard mesh rebounds better for outlet passes but lacks tackiness. Heavy wax also ups the hold factor. Finding your ideal mesh softness and preferred amount of wax dial in ball feel.
Overall Flex & Whip
Adjust mid/low pocket placement to control the flex point for your desired whip on saves. A lower pocket increases the “kick” for ball deflection while a mid pocket provides more cushioning around the ball.
In the end, custom stringing is about optimizing your pocket based on personal preference as a goalie. Work with an experienced stringer, test out multiple setups, and keep tweaking until you find your ideal configuration for control, fast release, and flex.
Let me know if you have any other questions on optimizing your lacrosse goalie head stringing and pocket!
When investing in a custom lacrosse goalie head, selecting the right materials is key to getting peak performance. The materials impact the structure, durability, stiffness, weight and protective qualities of the head. Here are some top considerations when choosing materials for a custom goalie head:
Choosing the Best Materials for Custom Lacrosse Goalie Heads
Stiffness
The stiffer the head, the better it will hold its shape on hard shots. Aircraft-grade aluminum provides maximum stiffness. Composite and titanium heads have more flex while maintaining strength. Molded plastic heads can dent and warp over time.
Strength & Durability
Scandium, magnesium and high-grade alloys offer superior structural integrity over molded plastic heads. Rigid metals don’t chip or crack like plastic. Carbon fiber resists dents better than molded materials.
Weight
Lighter materials like aircraft aluminum, carbon fiber and titanium reduce neck strain vs heavier steel or molded heads. But ultra-light carbon can lack stiffness on high-force impacts. Finding the right balance is key.
Vibration Dampening
Molded plastic absorbs vibrations better than rigid metals, providing better impact absorption. Some goalies prefer this for added protection on heavy shots. Composite materials can offer vibration dampening in a stiffer construct.
Custom Shape Options
Custom sidewall shapes like rounded edges, flat scoops and flared throats are only possible with molded plastic or composite heads. Rigid alloys limit shape options but provide unparalleled stiffness in standard head shapes.
Cost Considerations
Top-shelf aerospace alloys and carbon fiber come at a premium cost while molded plastic is cheaper. Finding the best material that fits your budget while meeting performance needs is key.
Consulting lacrosse experts can help narrow down the ideal head material based on playing level, budget and preferences as a goalie. While stiffer, stronger materials generally perform better, don’t underestimate the value of a molded head for vibration dampening and custom shaping if that suits your needs.
Let me know if you have any other questions on selecting the best materials for a custom lacrosse goalie head!
Optimizing the pocket and shooting strings in your lacrosse goalie stick through custom stringing gives you maximum control over ball security, release speed, and overall feel. Here are some of the key considerations when customizing your goalie stick pocket and shooters:
Customizing Lacrosse Goalie Stick Pockets and Shooting Strings
Pocket Materials
Hard mesh improves rebound on shots while soft mesh increases grip, tackiness, and overall ball control. The break-in time also varies between soft and hard meshes. Testing different meshes is crucial to find your ideal pocket feel.
Pocket Placement
Lower pockets increase ball control and hold while higher pockets enable faster release for outlet passes. Mid-level pockets offer a balance. Dropping the bottom string or widening the throat lets you customize pocket depth.
Shooting String Configuration
The number, pattern, material (nylon, laces, leather), and tie-off location of shooting strings impact hold and release. More shooters increase control. Leather grabs better than nylon. Lower tie-offs help secure the ball. Finding your ideal setup dial in ball control.
Sidewall Stringing
Interwoven sidewalls increase ball hold while direct lacing enables faster release. Mixing interwoven and direct lace gives you the ability to balance control in the pocket with quick outlet passes from the bottom.
Waxing the Mesh
Heavy waxing leads to increased tackiness and overall ball control. It does impact the break-in time for new mesh. Finding your optimal waxing preference comes with testing.
Personal Preference
The beauty of custom stringing is optimizing the pockets and shooters to match your specific style, feel, and needs as a goalie. An experienced stringer can make recommendations, but dialing in your personal touch is key.
Customizing your lacrosse goalie stick pocket requires testing different setups and constantly tweaking until you find your ideal configuration for control, release speed and overall playability. Let me know if you have any other pocket or shooting string questions!
One of the biggest benefits of custom lacrosse goalie stick stringing is the ability to fine tune the flex profile and whip to match your playing style and improve performance. The right amount of flex and whip can make a big difference in your save percentages. Here are some tips on getting the ideal flex and whip from custom stringing:
Getting the Right Flex & Whip with Custom Goalie Stick Stringing
Pocket Placement
The height of the pocket controls the main flex point of the head. A lower pocket creates more dramatic flex and increased whip on saves. A higher pocket softens the flex for better ball cushioning. Finding your ideal pocket placement dials in the flex point.
Mesh Selection
Softer meshes inherently provide more whip vs. stiff meshes with less give. So mesh type directly impacts the overall flex profile. You can string soft mesh tighter to reduce whip or hard mesh looser to add whip.
Sidewall Stringing
Sidewall stringing affects hold and release but also impacts flex. Tighter interwoven sidewalls reduce whip while wider spaced lace increases flex. Mixing stringing styles enables flex fine tuning.
Shooting Strings
More shooting strings anchored tightly decrease mesh give for less whip. Fewer shooters or anchors set further from the scoop enable more pocket flex and increased whip.
Top String Tightness
Tighter top strings reduce overall head flex while loosening top lacing allows more bend and increased whip, especially up top near the scoop.
Head & Sidewall Stiffness
Softer, more flexible heads like titanium naturally have more whip than stiff heads with less give. Same goes for more flexible plastic sidewalls vs. stiff aluminum sidewalls.
Work with your stringer to ensure your custom setup has the exact flex profile and whip you want as a goalie. The beauty of custom stringing is controlling these nuanced performance traits.
Let me know if you have any other questions about optimizing flex and whip on custom goalie sticks!
Customizing the actual shape and design of your lacrosse goalie head is an underutilized way to truly optimize your setup as a netminder. While off-the-shelf heads work for many players, a fully customized goalie head tailored to your style, strengths, and preferences can give you an edge between the pipes.
Customizing Your Lacrosse Goalie Head Shape and Sidewall Design
Overall Size & Length
Extra-large heads provide more blocking surface for big goalies, while more compact shapes are lighter and more maneuverable for smaller tenders. Custom sizing your head diameter to maximize coverage while maintaining mobility is key.
Scoop Design
Flatter scoops with rounded edges increase durability and stiffen ball deflection. Highly curved, pointed scoops can warp and direct rebounds into the net. Optimizing scoop shape improves control.
Sidewall Shape
Contouring sidewalls – like flaring out the throat or rounding corners – can increase ball control and handling for goalies. Stock head sidewalls often lack specialized shaping optimized for tending.
V-Back Design
Heads with a pronounced V-shape from the throat to scoop along the sidewalls improve visibility looking down the alley. Increased sight lines boost goalie awareness and reaction time.
Reinforced plastic sidewalls, additional throat padding, and thicker scoops offer more protection from bruising shots without sacrificing too much stiffness.
Stiffness & Weight
Finding the right balance of durable stiffness with maneuverable weight depends on your playing style and strength. Consulting experts helps determine your ideal rigidity and weight specifications.
While shape customization requires molded heads, the performance benefits for goalies make it well worth exploring custom sidewall and scoop design options. Don’t settle for an off-the-shelf head – get a custom shape tailored and optimized just for you!
Optimizing the length and weight of your lacrosse goalie stick is an important part of customization that can directly impact your performance in the crease. The right length and balance helps maximize your range and quickness reacting to shots.
Personalizing Your Lacrosse Goalie Stick Length & Weight
Length
Longer sticks provide more surface area for blocking shots but can hinder mobility. Shorter sticks are more maneuverable but have less reach. Finding your ideal length for both coverage and agility is key.
Shaft Material
Lightweight carbon fiber shafts reduce fatigue but may lack durability. Stronger titanium and alloy shafts add weight but provide a more resilient construct. Balance weight savings with strength needs.
Shaft Flex & Handle Shape
Stiffer shafts offer more rebound while flexible shafts absorb impact better. Oval or concave shapes enable multiple hand positions. Match the flex and handle to your preference.
Head Material
Plastic heads are lighter while metals add mass. Lightweight aerospace aluminum strikes a nice balance. Don’t just default to the lightest – consider balance and strength too.
Weight Distribution
Heavier scoop weighting increases quickness reacting to high shots. Stronger throats add stability on low saves. Optimizing weight balance improves coverage at all levels.
Personal Style & Strength
Your height, arm length, quickness, strength and stamina impact ideal length and weight. An oversized heavy stick won’t work for a smaller keeper. Consult experts to match a custom design to your specs and skills.
Don’t settle for an off-the-shelf goalie head. Get one personalized and customized just for you – your save percentage will thank you!
One often overlooked area of customization for lacrosse goalies is the throat design. Optimizing the shape and features of the throat area can actually make a significant difference in ball control and handling performance.
Custom Lacrosse Goalie Throat Designs for Improved Ball Control
Flared Throats
Flaring out the lower throat region expands the ball contact zone on low saves, giving goalies more surface area for controlling and directing rebounds.
Textured Throats
Adding grippy textures or slight ribbing along the throat provides increased friction and traction for better containment and guiding of the ball.
Reinforced Throats
Extra plastic or padding along the throat boosts impact absorption and reduces sting on low saves without sacrificing too much rigidity.
Stiffened Throats
Throat inserts or sidewall stringing that tighten up the lower throat minimizes warping or deforming on hard shots.
Curved Throats
Subtle contouring or concave shaping along the sides of the throat enhances feel for cradling and improved control directing rebounds.
Straight-Wall Throats
Less pronounced throat tapers reduce shot deflection and keeps more rebounds centered in front for easier wrangling on saves.
Personalized Shape & Size
Custom molding enables fully optimized throat shaping tailored to a goalie’s individual playing style, hand size, and rebound control preferences.
Don’t overlook the importance of throat design on overall ball control for lacrosse goalies. Optimized throat construction directly enhances shot stopping and outlet passing ability.
While performance and playability should be the top priorities when customizing a lacrosse goalie stick, adding some personal style through custom graphics and colors is a great way to make your setup truly unique.
Adding Personal Style with Custom Goalie Stick Graphics & Colors
Custom Graphics
Logos, lettering, slogans or intricate designs applied to the shaft and head let you put your own stylish stamp on your stick.
Digitally Printed Graphics
Digital hydro-dipping and printing techniques enable full-color photorealistic graphics – from animals to landscapes – giving endless customization options.
Personalized Artwork
Add your own drawings, sayings or hashtag mantras to make your goalie stick a personalized extension and expression of your individuality.
Unique Color Schemes
Complement your team colors with a fully customized colorway or express your personality through your favorite vibrant hues.
Team & Number Graphics
Rep your team pride by incorporating your school name, mascot and jersey number into your custom graphics.
Matching Pads & Helmet
Coordinating designs and colors across your goalie stick, pads and helmet pulls the whole look together.
While style should never undermine performance, custom graphics and colors enable goalies to put their own spin on things and design a stick that shows off a bit of their personality between the pipes.
Beyond just customizing your goalie stick, tailoring your pads to match your style and needs is crucial for comfort and protection as a netminder.
Customizing Lacrosse Goalie Pads for Comfort & Protection
Pad Size
Custom sizing your shin, knee, thigh rise and overall pad dimensions enhances coverage and maximizes mobility based on your height and stance.
Strapping & Attachment
Personalized strap configurations, elastic tension, and removable knee blocks ensure pads stay secure and protected without restricting movement.
Foam Thickness
Increasing foam density amplifies shot absorption while decreasing thickness enhances mobility and responsiveness.
Outer Materials
Durable ballistic nylon and heavy duty vinyl shells withstand wear and tear while lightweight mesh increases ventilation and range of motion.
Shape & Curvature
Anatomic pad shaping matched to your stance profile improves rotation and longevity while reducing gaps in coverage.
Graphics & Color
Custom graphics allow personal flair while coordinating colors with your stick, helmet and gloves pull the whole ensemble together.
Weight & Balance
Optimizing pad weight distribution improves quickness reacting up and down while reducing overall mass helps acceleration.
Don’t settle for generic pads – get a custom set tailored specifically for your physique, style and protection needs as a goalie.
Getting lacrosse goalie gloves customized to your hand size and shape is often overlooked but can make a big difference in fit, feel and performance.
Choosing Custom Lacrosse Goalie Gloves for the Perfect Fit
Hand Size
Precisely measuring hand circumference and length enables glove sizing tailored to your dimensions for minimized negative space and maximized responsiveness.
Finger & Thumb Alignment
Mapping individual finger proportions and thumb placement relative to palm allows for an anatomically aligned glove promoting natural closure.
Palm & Backhand Shaping
Accounting for palm curvature and backhand contours builds in formed glove shape mirroring hand topography – not a generic flat construct.
WristTightness
Custom wrist elasticity, cuff shape and adjustable strapping dials in secure closure without restricting circulation or flexibility.
Padding & Protection
Strategic palm and cuff reinforcement for high-wear areas boosts durability and absorption without sacrificing feel.
Materials & Ventilation
Mesh-backed synthetic leather and segmented finger construction maximize breathability, flexibility and moisture wicking.
Graphics & Style
Complementing any custom colors or designs on your pads and helmet pulls your whole setup together.
Don’t settle for an “ok” glove fit. Get lacrosse goalie gloves truly customized and contoured just for your hands.
Proper goalie pant sizing and flexibility is crucial for unrestricted movement and coverage in the crease. Customizing your goalie pants enables a personalized fit.
Getting the Right Size & Flexibility with Custom Goalie Pants
Waist & Thigh Sizing
Precisely dialing in waist fit along with thigh, knee, and shin pad pocket sizing eliminates gaps and promotes full range of motion.
Length
Optimizing calf, knee, and thigh length matched to your height ensures maximum coverage without restricting mobility.
Adjustability
Custom placed straps, laces, and elastic panels enable cinching pads tight to avoid shifts while still allowing free movement.
Stretch Panels
Strategic mesh fabric stretch zones in key flex areas improve extension and recovery in the butterfly and down-low positions.
Shape & Curvature
Anatomical shaping matched to your physique reduces fabric bunching while improving pad integration.
Breathability
Lightweight moisture-wicking fabrics with mesh gussets enhance ventilation and cooling during intense activity.
Protection
Extra leg and belly padding boosts impact absorption on shots without restricting flexibility.
Get lacrosse goalie pants fully customized for the ideal fit and tailored flexibility to maximize your quickness, coverage and comfort in the crease.
While often overlooked, customizing your lacrosse goalie helmet is a great way to dial in fit, visibility, and style. Optimizing helmet configuration enhances protection and performance.
Customizing Your Lacrosse Goalie Helmet for Safety & Style
Sizing & Fit
Getting an anatomically contoured helmet lined to your head dimensions ensures snug fit with minimized negative space for optimal protection.
Visor Shape & Tint
Custom visor specs – from wider visibility to anti-glare tints – provides a clearer sightline tracking shots.
Chin Strap & Lining
Softer custom liners increase comfort while adjusted chin straps ensure secure fit.
Ventilation
Extra airflow vents keep you cool in warm weather while vent covers boost warmth when it’s cold.
Jawline & Occipital Protection
Added jaw and rear padding reduces impact force for enhanced protection and concussion prevention.
Graphics & Color
Matching custom graphics and color schemes tie your whole goaltender look together.
Facemask Style
Alternate cage styles balance visibility with ball deflection protection to match your preference.
Don’t settle for an off-the-shelf helmet – get one customized to take your safety, performance and style to the next level in the crease.
Adding custom lacrosse goalie arm pads is an often overlooked accessory that can really complete and enhance your overall setup in the crease.
Accessorizing Your Gear with Custom Lacrosse Goalie Arm Pads
Coverage Area
Extended wrist to elbow pads protect against slashes and stingers, while slimmer forearm guards allow more mobility.
Padding Thickness
Increasing padding around the wrist and elbow boosts impact absorption while minimizing bulk maximizes dexterity.
Strap Configuration
Adjustable strapping dials in secure closure around the arm without restricting circulation or movement.
Arm & Elbow articulation
Anatomic shaping, pre-curved design, and flexible padding promotes natural bending for unhindered save mechanics.
Moisture Wicking
Breathable pads with mesh backing and internal channels enhance ventilation to reduce sweat buildup.
Abrasion Protection
Durable outer materials stand up to dives and slides while preventing turf burn.
Matching Graphics
Coordinating colors and designs with your pads, gloves and helmet for a cohesive custom look.
Well-fitting custom goalie arm pads provide protection without sacrificing mobility – a critical accessory for lacrosse netminders.
While you can customize individual pieces, getting fully integrated custom lacrosse goalie gear takes some research to find the right suppliers. Here are some tips on where to buy fully customized packages online:
Where to Buy Fully Customized Lacrosse Goalie Gear Online
Goalie-Specific Custom Shops
Specialized goalie customization sites like GoalieCrease.com offer custom pads, gloves, sticks, and helmets tailored specifically for goalies.
Custom Lacrosse Retailers
Some lacrosse retailers like Maverik offer full custom services for pads, uniforms, and protective gear beyond just sticks.
Custom Stringing Shops
Stringing-focused sites allow you to design custom goalie heads optimized specifically for your playing style.
Goalie Gear Forums
Community forums often have goalie-specific sections and members who can recommend trusted full-custom shops.
Team Equipment Managers
School and team equipment managers may have relationships with vendors or catalogs that offer fully customized goalie packages.
Local Pro Shops
Some lacrosse specialty retailers have in-house customization services or can recommend custom options beyond their standard inventory.
Doing your homework pays off when seeking fully integrated custom goalie gear. The right provider can tailor every component to match your personal specs, style and performance needs.